STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore pitcher Holly Ward knew the enormous expectation of becoming the first player to pitch in the new Nusz Park.
Ward didn’t disappoint.
Firing a one-hitter and her first career shutout, Ward looked brilliant in MSU’s 6-0 victory against Georgia Southern on Thursday in the opening game of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic and the 2016 regular season.
“I was so excited,” said Ward, who learned Wednesday she would start. “I knew this would be a chance to be a part of history. To be the first to pitch in the new stadium was exciting. You had to take a deep breath and just soak it all in. We have been waiting a long time for this day.
“I didn’t feel nervous. I simply felt excited.”
An announced crowd of 902 virtually watched MSU’s opener in its $6.4-million ballpark, which lists 1,100 chairback seats as its capacity. Within a week of last season ending, the construction began. The old bleachers and press box were torn down. The new brick grandstand and towering press box took its place.
MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said Thursday was similar to Christmas day in some ways, yet different in others.
“You had that Christmas rush, no doubt,” Stuedeman said. “On Christmas, though, everything is done, you just have to go through opening the presents. Today, playing at 5:30 was tough because you waited around all day to get to this point.
“Fortunately, it is a new stadium, so there was a series of things I found I could do to pass the time. We wanted this to be a great experience for the players and the fans, too. After all of that, you are trying to win a game, too, so to have this kind of night and then to win the game by a shutout is special.”
Ward appeared in 20 games (12 starts) in an up-and-down freshman campaign. She had never went seven innings until Thursday night, and had recorded only six outings of five innings or better.
While Stuedeman has a pedigree as one of the nation’s premier pitching coaches, she admitted Ward has made the most growth on her own.
“Holly did Holly,” Stuedeman said. “She played on a summer ball team with (teammate) Morgan Bell. (Bell’s) dad got it together. She worked on her game. We work together every day, but I have to tip my hat to her. She worked so hard during the summer. It showed tonight.”
Ward struck out eight and retired the first six before giving up a leadoff single in the third inning.
“I was concerned about the first couple of innings because we were all a little too excited,” Ward said. “After that, you just slow down and throw your game. Our pitching staff has a chance to be special this year. If it is not (junior) Alexis (Silkwood) or me getting it done, then we have other players who can come in and get the job done.
“Your freshman year is always challenging because you have to learn so much about how to play the game on this level. The summer was good to me because it gave me a chance to regain my composure and work on making my game better.”
Junior Kayla Winkfield had a two-run double in a four-run second. Freshman Sarai Niu had a double to start a two-run third.
“I am so proud of Sarai,” Stuedeman said. “Moving from California to Mississippi is not easy. You don’t adjust overnight. But we have taken her in and she has been a great fit for the program.”
Winkfield has played in two NCAA regionals in her first two seasons with the program. Still, Thursday night’s game was big.
“It may have been the biggest softball game I have ever played,” Winkfield said. “That felt like a regional game out there tonight. That is not an understatement.”
MSU will face Houston at 5:30 p.m. today.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.